Gareth Bale stole the limelight on an entertaining night of Europa League football after the Wales star scored twice to help Tottenham secure a 2-1 first-leg victory over Lyon.

Elsewhere, Liverpool were comprehensively beaten 2-0 by Zenit St Petersburg in Russia, Chelsea were 1-0 winners in Prague, while Newcastle could only manage a goalless draw at home to Metalist Kharkiv.

Here is the best of the Twitter reaction from the professionals, both past and present, in chronological order.

Former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer ([email protected]) is concerned that Luis Suárez is missing so many chances: “Need to take one of these chances. They’re few and far between in these games. Away goals are massive!”

Chelsea striker Demba Ba ([email protected]) is cheering on his team-mates: “Sitting on the front of tv. Come on Chelsea… #victory”

However, Bursaspor defender Anton Ferdinand ([email protected]_ferdinand) likes a joke at Chelsea’s expense – although the joke’s on him as Channel 5 is in fact showing Home and Away: “Think I might watch Chelsea tonight on Channel 5!!”

Liverpool striker Suárez ([email protected]) promises the Reds will give everything to overturn the two-goal deficit: “We’ll give it all in Anfield! Together we can!”

Reds defender Jose Enrique (@jose3enrique3) is still optimistic too: “On the plane ready to travel back to Liverpool. Very disappointed result we deserved more. Still the second game in Anfield…”

Former Celtic striker John Hartson ([email protected]) reckons Liverpool can still do it: “By the way this tie is not over. Liverpool can more than claw back two goals at Anfield.. Early goal and right back in it..”

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace defender Peter Ramage ([email protected]) is regretting watching his old club: “Well there’s 90mins I’m never going to get back, that Newcastle match wasn’t the hairy chest! Papiss Cisse could and should have had three! #alltodo”